World War One (The Great War) 1914 - 1918
http://www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance/img/gassed_446x251.jpg “Gassed,” John Singer Sargent (1919) Quick Overview The war began in August 1914
When war broke out, the U. S. declared itself neutral
The U.S. entered the war on April 6, 1917
The fighting ended with a cease-fire agreement on November 11, 1918
Approximately 9 million soldiers were killed. At least 21 million soldiers were wounded. MAIN Causes of the War MILITARISM
The Glorification of military power
An Arms Race (Competition to build the most powerful weapons) took place - lead to fear MAIN Causes of the War Alliances Suspicions about other nations led to the formation of alliances
Triple Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
Triple Entente Britain, France and Russia MAIN Causes of the War Imperialism Competition between European nations over land and resources created rivalries in Africa
American imperialism in Latin America and Asia was also a source of concern & tension MAIN Causes of the War Nationalism A deep pride in one’s own country - believing that it is better than all nations
European nations competed to prove the superiority of their cultures
U.S. - “God’s Chosen People” http://web.viu.ca/davies/H482.WWI/poster.US.DestroyThisMadBrute.jpg Archduke Franz Ferdinand and His Family
He was to be the next emperor of Austria-Hungary The Assassination
Franz Ferdinand was killed by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo June 28, 1914
This event “sparked” war in Europe The Fighting Begins Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914
Due to the Alliance System, one European nation after another was pulled into the conflict
August 4, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium - its goal was Paris, France
In response, Britain declared war on Germany - WW I had begun! America’s Response In 1914, most Americans saw no reason to join a struggle 3,000 miles away - they wanted neutrality
The majority of Americans favored the British, due in part to our shared ancestry, common language and strong economic ties with Britain http://www-tc.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/images/1914wilson.jpg
President Many German-Americans supported Woodrow Wilson Germany in WW I The Lusitania
British passenger ship sunk by German u-boat, May 7,1915 Over 1,200 civilians killed - including 128 Americans Some Americans want war with Germany - revenge!
Germany promises to end “unrestricted” naval war Zimmerman Telegram The Zimmerman Note was an alleged telegram from Germany to Mexico. It promised Mexico land in exchange for going to war with the U.S.
The telegram was published in newspapers on March 1, 1917 - the last straw for most Americans in turning against Germany The U.S. declared war on Germany, April 6, 1917
The World Must be Made Safe for Democracy! America Prepares to Fight The Draft (May 1917) Selective Service Act. All males 18 - 45 must register
Mobilize the Economy More military goods Fewer items for households
Patriotism Buy Liberty Bonds! Propaganda during WWI
The government would use propaganda posters like this to promote support for the war effort among American citizens and portray the enemy as evil and bloodthirsty
War on the Home Front World War I was the first “total war”, a conflict that involves all of a nation’s people and its resources and affects the daily lives of all of a its citizens http://bluejacket.com/usn/posters/post_navy_ww1_gee-i-wish-3_christy.jpg http://www.famhist.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/61.jpg Role of women in WWI Women officially served in the armed forces for the first time during WWI, mostly as nurses
World War I also saw for the first time women appearing in the workplace in factory jobs while men were off to war African Americans in WWI Of the 3 million men drafted into U.S. military service during World War I, about 400,000 were African Americans Great Migration of Blacks Many African Americans left the South during WWI and moved North to work in factories that produced war materials
The “Great Migration” This movement of blacks from the South to the North in the early 1900s became known as the Great Migration The states in blue had the twelve largest net gains of African Americans, while the states in red had the ten largest net losses
American Troops Tip the Balance of Power in Europe Over 4 million Americans were called to active duty during World War One
About 2 million American troops http://www.famhist.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/WWI-American-Troops-in-London1.jpg reached Europe American troops in London New Weapons
U-Boats (submarines) - Could sneak-up on ships and destroy them Machine Guns – Guns could now fire 600 rounds per minute Tanks – New steel tanks ran on caterpillar treads Airplanes – Early dogfights resembled duals, however by 1918 the British had a fleet of planes that could deliver bomb loads Poison Gas – mustard gas (and other types) was used to subdue the enemy Attacks on Civil Liberties Anti-Immigrant feelings were openly expressed - especially anti-German The Espionage Act (1917) Was a crime to interfere with the draft. Postmaster General could ban “treasonous” materials from the mail
The Sedition Act (1918) Was a crime to speak or publish anything “disloyal, profane . . . or abusive about the U.S. government or the military Schenck v. United States (1919) Charles Schenck had been found guilty of violating the Sedition Act. He argued that the law violated his right of “free speech”
The Supreme Court ruled that the govt. CAN restrict speech during times of war
The question “is whether the words used . . . create a clear and present danger. . . that Congress has a right to prevent.” November 11, 1918 (11 am) - Fighting Ends
The Armistice is Signed! Nine million dead soldiers
53,402 American soldiers died World War I Casualties
Russia Germany Austria-Hungary France Great Britain Italy Turkey US Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points Wilson traveled to Paris to help write the treaty that would officially end the war
Wilson’s Goal - Lasting Peace
Among Wilson’s Points . . . No secret treaties Wilson’s 14 points Freedom of the Seas in his own short hand Reduced tariffs / trade barriers
Reduction of military weapons
League of Nations to promote peace The Treaty of Versailles
Allies Reject Wilson’s Plan England & France wanted to punish Germany
Germany had to sign a “War Guilt” clause, admitting sole responsibility for the war
Germany had to pay $33 billion in reparations to the Allies
Germany had to give up most of its Hall of Mirrors at Versailles military and lands seized in earlier wars
The Treaty of Versailles Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire were broken apart 9 new nations (Poland, Hungary, etc) were created by the treaty Why did Wilson accept the terms of the Treaty of Versailles? He did not have enough power to overcome the wishes of the leaders of the other Allied Powers
He also had a great deal of faith in the League of Nations. He was willing to “go along” with the plans of others in exchange for their support of the League Debate Over the Treaty at Home According to the Constitution, all treaties must be approved by the Senate
Conservative senators, led by Henry Cabot Lodge, believed that joining the League of Nations would force the U.S. to give up too much independence
Ultimately, the Senate rejected American involvement in the League http://users.humboldt.edu/ogayle/hist111/AntiLeagueCartoon.jpg The Legacy of World War I Americans called WW I, “The War to End all Wars,” yet unresolved issues would lead to an even deadlier conflict
In the U.S., the war strengthened both the military and the power of the government
Wartime propaganda provoked powerful fears in society
Russia established the first Communist nation during WW I The Red Scare Americans were afraid of communism spreading to the U.S.
People who had views that were outside of the mainstream (socialists, anarchists, leaders of labor unions) and /or immigrants from S/E Europe were seen as dangerous 1. MAIN Causes 2. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: German policy of sinking all ships entering their water. 3. Zimmerman Telegram: Promises Mexico lost territory in US in return for alliance with Germany inWWI. 4. Lusitania: British Passenger ship, sunk by German U- Boat. Hastens US entry into WWI. 5. Allies: England, France, Russia, USA 6. Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire. 7. Espionage & Sedition Acts: Crime to interfere with US Draft or publish anything “..disloyal or profane” about the US or Constitution. 8. Schenck V. US: 1919, Free speech can be restricted in time of War. Prevents words which create a “clear and present danger”. (FIRE) 9. Red Scare: Fear of Socialism/Communism in US 10. 14 Points: Wilson’s plan for Peace after WWI. League of Nations. 11. Self Determination: national groups and countries make their own decisions. 12. League of Nations: guarantee peace through diplomacy. 13. Reparations: War Debt, Germans forced to pay. 14. Treaty of Versailles: Ended WWI, caused WWII 15. Dawes Plan: 1924. US Lends $ to Germany.